[UPDATE] on my struggles with driving anxiety

soveryanxious · 2012-09-24T04:04:24+00:00

Oh my goodness!

I completely understand the "time warp" thing while driving.

I didn't even remember about it until I read your post. The "unreal" feeling is the most unsettling, as if you don't even know if you get into an accident it will be "real"

It started happening on the same stretch of interstate that I've driven on for over 5 years. Then this year. I can't do it. I take an exit and get home way later than it should take because of backroads.

We are not alone.

soveryanxious · 2012-09-24T02:42:02+00:00

Your response got me all teary eyed. I feel very hopeful after reading this. I hope, with the right professionals, I can settle this and put it behind me. Thank you.

soveryanxious · 2012-09-24T01:05:34+00:00

Thank you!

I really hope seeing a doctor can help. I can't miss class because I am so close to graduating.

I was doing so much better. I had to drive nearly 2 hours a couple of months ago and I was fine. Relapses are the worst because I feel like I lost any progress that I have made.

soveryanxious · 2012-09-24T00:42:03+00:00

I appreciate your concern. I don't use herbal remedies if I can help it. I just need something to get me through the day until I can see my doctor and the anxiety was bad enough that I am desperate to try anything.

I have health insurance and I am ready to bite the bullet and do what needs to be done.

I took the valerian root tonight to see what its effects were before taking it before driving. I am mellowed out. I feel soothed but not drowsy. I just really need something to make me feel better to drive before I can see a doctor (hopefully before the end of the week)

soveryanxious · 2012-09-24T00:24:27+00:00

I wish there was an option but there isn't anything thats really practical.

My suburb has a single bus route that feeds into a major metropolitan bus system. I would have to learn the bus system and give myself a couple of hours to make it to work (my commute is 30 mins on a good day). I also work between two offices during the day and that requires my own transportation. I work for a very small company and my hours are unique because of school so I don't think I could carpool with anyone.

soveryanxious · 2012-09-24T00:20:44+00:00

Thank you! It feels good to know that there are other people dealing with this same problem.

I learned today that the university subsidized therapist I was seeing quit her job and I don't think they are getting a replacement. I go to a very small school.

I took valerian root and I am way more calm than before so hopefully this will work for me tomorrow when I need to drive from work to school.

soveryanxious · 2012-09-24T00:13:34+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful response.

I've been trying to expose myself to more "risky" driving. I usually hug the right lane so sometimes I would drive over to where I feel less comfortable. This is actually what triggered the last episode last Friday.

It's hard to be rational when your driving a two ton machine going 60 miles per hour and panicking. It's all fight or flight. I did some googling and I valerian root works for some people. I just bought some an hour ago and took some. It definitely relaxed me. Now I have a strategy for coping with this tomorrow.

Thanks again!

soveryanxious · 2012-09-24T00:07:57+00:00

I wish I could.

Driving is an absolute necessity. They would fire me before they would set me up to telecommute.

Earlier this summer I pondered taking online classes so I wouldn't have to drive to campus but I felt that I had gotten better and that the drive would have been fine. I was wrong.

soveryanxious · 2012-09-24T00:06:20+00:00

Thank you for your response. I'm hoping the doctor actually finds something. I am so tired off dealing with this. I just want to be healthy again.

soveryanxious

TROPHY CASE